"Old Time for Coffee" --- Sold

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I got so many responses for my previous post. Your words warmed my heart. I am sorry I can't write back to all of you, but I really really appreciate your kindness. Thanks a lot.

I did this painting yesterday. I want to paint a still life without round objects in it. I had done so many of them and get a little tired. This old coffee grinder got my interest. I like the subtlety in color and texture in old objects. I didn't do much of composition design this time and did it more like a portrait. I plan to do a large painting with this item in it in the future. This painting is my small scale study.

"Spirit of a Lotus"

I don't have a painting for you today, but I want to share some thoughts. Yesterday, I had a medical checkup. The doctors put me into sleep. I lost about one hour of my life, but I didn't feel a trace of discontinuity of my consciousness. Has anything happened? I perfectly didn't know. This makes me ponder. Is time real? Is life a delusion? I have no clue.

I had a friend passed away recently in Huntsville, AL, and today is her funeral, probably at this moment I am writing. I am so sorry I can't attend. The last time I saw her was in October. She has been in a coma for 4 years. Life was very hard for her and her family. She was a very dear friend of mine like a mother. I stayed with her when I was a university student. She took care of me in any small details. I remembered she refrigerated my toothbrush every night to prevented gems getting to me. I felt sad when I saw her in a coma. I feel sad she is no longer with me. I ponder more. Is life a delusion? I think I have some clue.

I have this lotus flower bestowed on my friend. I hope our life is like a lotus. We started in a chaotic world like mud. We went through difficult times. but we should always remain conscious, practice and nourish our spirit, and purify our mind, like the lotus grow through water. Until someday, we will make it to the surface, and bloom splendidly with a spectacular beauty.

"Anderson Mill" --- Traded with an Artist

Anderson Mill is an historical marker not far from where I live. When Calvin Liang was here. He painted at this location twice. It is nice and rustic place. I did this plein air painting a while ago when I have a lot of computer problems. After Thanksgiving, I have been super busy with my engineering job, and haven't got a chance to paint yet. So I post this one for you.

"Dance with Stars" --- Sold

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I did this painting a while ago, but didn't get a chance to post it. I was practicing surface texture of the cabbage and translucency of the tomato. When I was painting this one, Song was watching "Dance with Stars" on TV. So why don't I name the painting the same.

"Beautiful Sound"

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I used this long weekend and did this gallery level painting. I owe galleries representing me many paintings. I am so behind. I need to generate quite a few and send to them.

I chose to do a high key painting, because it is relatively easy to define the trumpet. It is my first time to paint a trumpet. It has many complicated parts. To me they are just shapes. I think the flowers are lilies. I am bad with names. They are just shapes to me. If you can paint shapes, you can paint anything.

"Sugar Jar" --- Sold

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This painting has almost no cadmium colors in it. It is very special for me because I am so addicted to cadmium red and orange and use them in all my paintings except this one. I want to see if it is possible I still can create a popping effect with cool colors.

I did this painting on the Thanksgiving day. At this holiday time. I want thank all of you for giving me support, and encouragement. I have run into so many difficulties and problems in my art journey. Some many times I want quit. You keep me going. I maybe slow, I may limp, but I move forward, because of you.

Song and I went a friend's home for the Thanksgiving dinner. I met a few new people at the party. I was asked: "What do you do?" As usual, I would answer "I am an engineer" without thinking, because that is my daily job. However, this time, after pondering for a while, I answered: "I am an artist". You know what. It shocked me when I said that. I am so used to identify myself as a technical professional and doing art in my spare time. Now, having claimed "I am an artist" in front of strangers, I realized I have pledged an identity shift officially. My center of balance has been toggled. I felt my commitment into art is serious now. Art is no longer a spare time activity any more. It will be considered a career for me. I will support my family with it soon. I do feel a little sad toward my technical career, though. At an appropriate time, I will tell you how I feel about the corporate culture.

"Colley Whisson's Visit"

This beautiful painting was done by the internationally well known australian artist Colley Whisson. If you read "International Artist" magazine. You certainly have seen his remarkable work. Currently, he is teaching and touring in US. This a couple of days he visited me in Austin. We had a wonderful time together. I like Colley's art a lot. He paints the light effect so wonderfully. His brushwork is so loose and bold. I don't have to say much. His works have said all. I will have Colley come back to Austin to teach workshop in the future, and I hope at that time, you can join me and learn from him.

"Turquoise Stripe" --- Sold

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You know I use a lot red and oranges in my paintings. This one is the same. The reason is obvious. Hot color capture viewer's attention easily. However, if I over use it, it starts to get boring. So I have been searching other colors that gives strong impact to people. This painting is one my tests. The color I am testing is turquoise. It is actually the opposite of the orange and red, but its crisp coolness can work as an eye catcher. I will definitely use it more.

"Camp Fire" --- Sold

This painting was done at the Omni Hotel in Fort Worth, TX. I was there participating the Campfire USA Artists Christmas last Friday. The painting was an donation item. It was very enjoyable doing this. I learned from many of you that the brass object is a tool for containing coal. I have used some much hot colors that my apple and oranges are like hot flames. This is my version of the campfire. I hope many young people will benefit from the creative programs organized by Campfire USA.

"Demo at Melbourne 3"

This is the third demo I did at Melbourne. I was showing how to paint a brass object. I hope you like this one.

There have been quite a few things happening to my art lately, but I haven't got enough time to document them on my blog in time. I am still in the middle of transitioning from PC to Mac. I have got almost everything together now, but I must tell you I really have been struggling in order to get my online activities going. I had a lot of problems with my painting newsletters recently. You probably suffered when you read my painting emails lately. I have tried so many different ways: IPad apps, Google pages, Pages (Word for Mac), Free webpages, IWeb...... Finally I ended up to use a simple text editor and literally generate html codes line-by-line, without using any template. I FTPs it to my website, and send it out from Safari directly. I am very proud of myself doing this because I really hate writing codes. My relationship with computers can be summarized with one phase: "Dance with Wolfs"

"Demo at Melbourne 2"

My second demo at Melbourne is shown here. I wish I had more time that I could work on the leaves more. I have been practicing painting leaves a while, but I know I am still not there yet. I remember Richard Schmid said that the the flower is the icing on the cake. The leaves are actually the main part of the painting. Please be patient with me. It is just the matter of time I will be there.

"Demo at Melbourne 1"

I am at the airport of Melbourne FL waiting for my flight back to Austin. The workshop went so well and I really love this small Floridian city. I want to thank Carman Beecher for her great effort of putting this workshop together. I really appreciate Cindy and Bob Michaud for their hospitality. I enjoyed very much meeting the members of Pieces of Eight artist group and other artists attending the workshop. Three days passed quickly, but our friendship will last forever. Thank you all very much.

This workshop marks the ending my teaching of 2010. I have taught 11 workshops nation wide this year. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have be able to travel and meeting so many wonderful artists everywhere. You all have been helping me tremendously in my growth as an artist and a human being.

This is my first demo painting at Melbourne. Please enjoy.

"Harvest Season" --- Sold

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Calvin Liang's second workshop was another successful one, but I didn't get chance to see his last demo. I rushed out to the airport and today I started my workshop teaching at Melbourne, FL. This is a little painting I did last week. Calvin watched me doing this one. We had a wonderful discussion about a lot of things in art. Calvin is on his way back to California tomorrow. I wish him a safe trip back, and thank him for bring his great art to Texas.

Now I am in Melbourne, and finished my first day of teaching. The workshop went very well. Every one is happy. I was expecting to see the space shuttle launch this afternoon, but Nasa has postpone it. What a pity, I missed my chance, but I enjoyed the beautiful scenery here. People are so nice here. I will show you my demos later.

"Afternoon at Windy Point"

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Calvin Liang's first workshop ended yesterday. It was very successful. The weather was great, the sites was beautiful, and everybody were happy. Today is our only break. The second workshop will start tomorrow morning. I have been very busy this two weeks. I went out early in the morning, set up road signs to make sure workshop artists can find the painting location. After everybody showed up and Calvin started to demo, I turned around and went to work. In the evenings, Calvin and I went different places to eat and chat. We had a lot of fun. Oh! I did got chance to paint. This one I did last Thursday. I have learned a lot from the master.

Recently I have spent a lot time trying to fix my computer problems. I got the newest MacBook Air computer. It is NICE. Now I am in the transition between PC and Mac. There is big learning curve I will go through. I have tried so many ways to generate my painting newsletter. I sincerely apologize that I have shown so many problems on my newsletters lately. I hope I am getting better now. If you see problems and issues, please let me know. It will help everybody. Thanks.

"Calvin is showing his painting secret"

This is a demo painting did by master artist Calvin Liang.
This and next week, the internationally well known artist Calvin Liang is teaching two 5-days workshops in Austin. He is sharing his magic approaches to plein air painting. I am amazed by his rich organic colors and energetic brush work. We all appreciate this great opportunity to learn from the master. If you admire Calvin's art like I do, I have a good news for you. Due to the last minute cancelation, we still have a couple of openings for his second workshop starting on this Sunday Oct. 31. If you are interested in getting his painting secret, please shoot me an email: qhart002@yahoo.com. I will try my best to get you in.

"Jessica" 9"x12" oil on board

A very good artist friend of mine was hosting a live drawing/painting session at his home last night. I went there after work and did this portrait sketch. You know I love painting human, but just have not done enough. We had a great model Jessica. I really enjoyed painting her.


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"We Urn It" --- Sold, First Place Winner, Quick Draw

The last day of the paint out, we had a quick draw competition. I painted this urn. It was my lucky day again. I won the first place of the quick draw competition. I am very happy and humbled. You know what, I think this Urn has a magic power. Three prize winning artists did this urn: John Cook, Dennis Farris, and me. "We urn it!" John said to me after the event. John and Dennis are superb artists. Please google their names if you are not familiar with their works. You will be amazed with what they can do. I am very lucky to be among these greatly accomplished artists.


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"Trial Garden Glory" --- Sold, Second Place Winner

All together, I painted 4 paintings in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. This was the one I submitted to the competition. I painted this painting in the "Trial Garden" where I found many uncommon plants. I didn't know the name of these flowers, but they are surely beautiful. I tried keeping the painting a sketchy looking without a detailed rendering. I was very honored and excited of winning the second place of the Camp Fire USA Paint Out Competition.


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"Japanese Garden" --- Traded with an artist friend

I am on the road again. I am at Fort Worth, TX, participating the Camp Fire USA Paint Out. These several days, We are in the beautiful Fort Worth Botanical Garden. This is my first painting. Plein Air is always a challenge to me, but it was fun.


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Calvin Liang workshop openings

You might have known, Song and I organize two plain air painting workshops at Austin, TX for the nationally well known artist Calvin Liang. The first one will be Oct. 25 - 29, and the second one Oct. 31 - Nov. 4. Now we have several openings. If you are interested in attending, please

Email us .

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"Demo at Lake Martin, AL 3" --- Sold

This is another demo I did at my Alabama workshop. I have figured out how to generate HTML newsletters on my iPad. If you subscribe my painting email, you now should see my painting image directly without opening the attachment like you did with my previous email. My computer problem has turned into a good thing. It forces me to learn new things. I like my iPad even more now.


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"Demo at Lake Martin, AL 2" --- Sold

I did my first 5-day workshop at the Beautiful Lake Martin near Alexander City in Central Alabama. I want to thank the Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony for organizing this wonderful event. Specially, I want thank Debbie Dowdle for her tremendous effort for putting this workshop together. I really enjoyed meeting all new artist friends there, and hope my teaching has some positive effect on your art. Alabama is a special place for me. I spent seven years as a rocket scientist in Huntsville. Song and I were married there too. You may find a trace of southern accent in my broken English. I felt so excited going back. This is my second demo at the workshop. At this moment, I am still in my computer crisis, but at least, you can see my writing and image together.



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Posting from my iPad

I have just came back from Alabama last night. My computer has major hardware problems. I have spend almost whole day figuring out how to post without using a computer. iPad is my only tool right now. I have figured out how to import images from digital camera and edit them. I opened a Photobucket account to store images on line, and uploaded an image to my blog directly from Safary. But I could not post text somehow. Now I am trying this new app BlogPress. I think I have got most parts working now. Computers are powerful tools, but they are most unreliable tools. I refuse to be controlled by computers. So many things are in my way trying to stop me from painting. I do not give in.


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Demo at Lake Martin, AL 1 --- Sold

"Taking Out"

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It is the last day of the month today. This month, I didn’t finish my quota for my on-line galleries. Officially, I am not a daily painter any more. I told myself last night: Qiang, you must paint something right now. So I did. Was it good? I don’t know, but I learned something: Never ever use a clay board for oil painting. I am short in supplies now. Out of desperation, I found some panels I bought who know when. I did this 6”x6” with it. Oh! My goodness, this board was unbelievably absorptive. I literally poured a puddle of linseed oil on the surface, and it disappeared in seconds. Every brush I putted on turned into a dry mark, no matter how juicy my paint was. All my darks lost the darkness very quickly. I lost completely the smoothness of oil painting. Usually my paintings are dry to touch in several days. For this one, it is dry to touch in minutes. I used retouch varnish trying to bring the fresh look back, but it last only a couple of minutes. Oh boy. It was a real struggle….. My life is still in a mess right now, but I remind myself again: Just do it and Never give up.

I am going to Alabama tomorrow. I will let you know how the workshop goes later.

"Demo at Jacksonville 3" --- Sold

I did three demos at this workshop and this was the last one. I was trying to show what I have learned from Richard Schmid. I left the background rather transparent and paid a lot of attention to the edges. I was rushed a little due to my time constrains. I think this one has a lot of potential.

I am back to Austin now, and had a gear shifting to my engineering work. I may not paint much for a while because I am behind in so many things. Unfortunately, painting will be the first to be sacrificed. My lack of skills of managing business is killing my art at this moment, but I will straighten up everything. My life is a little chaotic, but it will be back to normal soon.

"Demo at Jacksonville 2" --- Sold

This is my second demo at the workshop. I have never done a watermelon before, and sunflower is relatively new to me as well. But they all just shapes and colors to me. The painting has turned out all right. It looks that the watermelon and the sunflower go together nicely.

"Demo at Jacksonville 1" --- Sold

I have just completed my three-day workshop at Jacksonville, FL. I really appreciate Eileen Corse for putting this workshop together. The workshop was held at the fabulous Corse gallery. I was so excited to meet many new artist friends and delighted to see some of my old friends too. This is my first demo painting. I had so much fun doing it.

"Quiet Moment" --- Sold

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I am not creative today. This one is my typical composition. In my life, having time and energy to paint is really a luxury. Recently, I felt more and more forces trying to push me away from my art. I paint much less now, and the progress is not in sync with my expectation. I am not in crisis, but I have reached a low point in this relatively new career of mine. I remind myself: Just do it and never give up.

"Green Energy" --- Sold

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These several days I didn’t paint. I was carried away doing a DIY green energy project. Like most people, I am really for going green, but I have not taken any real action. I still turn on my AC to beat the hot Texas summer, and water my lawn with a sprinkler system. But one incident has forced me to go green.

You probably know I have a small property in the Texas hill country (I posted a painting of a propane tank this spring). I bought it early this year, but I hardly go there. I did have the electricity and water turned on, but I have not used any. I thought it should not cost me much, however, I was deadly wrong. Besides more than $100 turning-on fee, the fee for just keeping the power and water available was $78 per month. After throwing money away for five months, I finally picked up the phone calling the water company to stop the “service”. The lady on the other end nicely talked to me: If I stopped the water now, I couldn’t turn it on again within six months, otherwise I will be charged availability fees for all the months in between…. OK. THANKS. After being mad for a short while, I determined: I WILL DO IT MYSELF. So I started my green energy projects.

My first project was a solar power system. I went on eBay bought 36 solar cells ($60) and made my first solar panel. I bought two golf cart batteries at Costco. I got the charge controller and power inverter on-line. After two weeks fun work, I got the system working yesterday. Last night we had a party. Under the solar powered lights, I played a CD of Beethoven with a solar powered boom box. It was so great.
Sorry about the sidetracking from art, but it was really fun. Next I will do rain water harvesting, and a solar water heater.